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| WARNER RALLIES SUPPORT FOR HAITI |
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Jack Warner is considered by many to be one of the most powerful men in football in the region and today he is using his office to rally support for relief efforts in Haiti. “Today I wish to express my condolences to President Rene Preval and people of Haiti. The tragedy which has befallen our Caribbean neighbor is beyond comprehension.” Warner went on to add, “I am a son of the Caribbean soil, I cannot and will not stand idly by and allow my brothers and sisters to endure such inhumane hardships. I am as much a Trinidadian, as I am a Haitian, I will make every effort possible to assist in ensuring that the lives of those affected by this tragedy return to some level of normalcy soon.” Warner , who is presently the longest serving Vice President of the FIFA, revealed that he has written to FIFA’s finance committee on this matter and has asked that his colleagues explore possible options to assist in relief efforts. “I have written to FIFA and I have asked that relief efforts to Haiti be discussed at the Finance Committee meeting next month. Sport has always been a tool of social transformation; it is a beckon of hope when we seem to be in an abyss of hopelessness. The pictures published on the international media depict a grim and desolate people. I know that we at FIFA and CONCACAF understand our role, not only as sport administrators but our role in ensuring that we harness sport to improve the lives of those who need it most.” The FIFA Finance Committee is expected to meet on Friday 5th February, but the VP isn’t only using his FIFA office, Warner intends to discuss the Haiti crisis at the next Congress of the Caribbean Football Union which is to be held on February 27th in Trinidad. “We are our brother’s keeper. We are a region which shares a common history, we face common challenges and we share a bond that is unbreakable. We must unite for the sake of our region. Our children and our grandchildren will judge us harshly is we fail to act on this matter. Let us not turn our backs, but let us unite as a Caribbean region to save one of our own. At the CFU Congress, I know that the football family will stand united on this issue.” Warner, who also heads the Caribbean Football Union, revealed that he contacted the President of the Haitian Football Federation to ascertain the state of affairs. “I contacted Yves Jeanbart this morning (Thursday) to see how best I can assist in this matter. Despite my political commitments in Trinidad, it would be merciless of me to not do all that I can. What has occurred in Haiti over the last 48 hours has shown the fragility of life, which must never be taken for granted. I hope to fly the Federation’s President to Trinidad over the next week and assist him with coordinating relief efforts for his country.” But the Football jefe isn’t contented with waiting on his football colleagues to assist him with this matter. “While I will use my various football offices to do what I can, I have contacted a number of aid agencies in the region and will be donating one hundred thousand dollars (1,000,000.00) of my personal monies to relief efforts in Haiti.”
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